Research Methods : Pilot Studies, Correlations, Experiments Etc

Question 1

What is a pilot study?

Answer 1

A trial to test aspects of the study to make sure it works, isn’t confusing for participants, and check to see if it needs improved.

Question 2

Single blind procedure definition

Answer 2

A research design in which a participant is not sware kf the research aims and what condition of the experiment they are in so they don’t act on demand characteristics. Researcher will know conditions.

Question 3

Double blind procedure

Answer 3

Neither participant nor researcher knows research aims or who is in what conditions of the experiment. Thus they have no expectations that might alter participants behaviour

Question 4

Independent variable meaning

Answer 4

The variable that is changed by the experiment

Question 5

Confounding variable meaning

Answer 5

Any variable other than the IV that may have affected the DV

Question 6

Dependant variable meaning

Answer 6

The variable that is being measured

Question 7

What is a correlation

Answer 7

A relationship between 2 variables but it doesn’t mean that one thing causes another.

Question 8

Extraneous variable meaning

Answer 8

Any variable other than IV that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled for

Question 9

Intervening variable meaning

Answer 9

A variable that comes between 2 variables and can be used to explain the relationship between 2 variables

Question 10

Positive correlation

Answer 10

When one variable increases, the other increases.

Question 11

Negative correlation

Answer 11

As one increases, one decreases.

Question 12

Strength of correlations

Answer 12

• May suggest ideas for possible research
• they aren’t time consuming (uses pre existing data)
• don’t cost a lot to carry out
• there’s no need for a controlled environment
• no manipulation of variables in required
• helps find relationships between variables that otherwise would be unethical to do an experiment on

Question 13

Weaknesses of correlations

Answer 13

• tell us how but not why variables are related
• cannot demonstrate cause and effect so you are unable to see which co-variable is causing the other to change
• there may be a 3rd untested variable taht causes relationship between variables
• correlations may be misinterpreted or misused

Question 14

Differences between experiments and correlations

Answer 14

Experiments :
- establish causality
- finds data and researches it/designs a study to find out more
- involves manipulation of variables

Correlations :
- only show associations between variables
- uses pre-existing data
- does not involve manipulation of variables

Question 15

Aims definition

Answer 15

It’s a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate

Question 16

Hypothesis definition

Answer 16

A clear testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated.

Question 17

Directional hypothesis definition

Answer 17

A hypothesis that states what the difference between variables will be.

Question 18

Non directional hypothesis

Answer 18

A hypothesis that refers to a difference, but does not specify what the difference is. Doesn’t say more/less, better/worse, faster/slower, etc.

Question 19

What does it mean to operationalise a hypothesis?

Answer 19

Variables investigated should be clearly defined and measureable.

Example : specify both IV conditions, and the DV

Question 20

Independent groups meaning

Answer 20

Testing separate groups of people. Each group is tested in a different condition.

Question 21

Independent groups strengths

Answer 21

• order effects are not a problem
• participants are less likely to guess the aims of the experiment

Question 22

Independent groups weaknesses

Answer 22

• participants in the separate groups are different individuals, so differences in results may be a result of individual differences
• each participant contributes a single result - less economical - more people needed

Question 23

Repeated measures meaning

Answer 23

Testing the same group of people on different conditions - the same people used repeatedly

Question 24

Repeated measures strengths

Answer 24

• participant variables/individual differences are controlled
• fewer participants needed = less time consuming

Question 25

Repeated measures weaknesses

Answer 25

• participants need to do 2 tasks, order of these tasks may be significant (order effects)
• multiple tasks may = boredom /improve performance through practice
• more likely the participant will figure out the aim of the experiment (demand characteristics)

Question 26

Matched pairs meaning

Answer 26

Testing separete groups of people - each member of one group is the same age, sex, or social background as a member of the other group

Question 27

Matched pairs strengths

Answer 27

• order of effect and demand characteristics are less of a problem

Question 28

Matched pairs weaknesses

Answer 28

• time consuming
• expensive
  -pairs can never be fully matched

Question 29

Counterbalancing meaning

Answer 29

An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design . DOES NOT remove order effects, only balances it.

E.g half participants take part in condition A then B, the other half does B then A (ABBA)

Question 30

When do you use either a directional or non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 30

Directional : when findings of previous research studies suggest a certain outcome

Non-directional : when there is no previous research, or findings for earlier experiments, contradict each other

Question 31

Experimental conditions

Answer 31

The main IV being tested and its effect.

Question 32

Controll conditions

Answer 32

Compared to other IV that is being tested for how it effects a person